Tops + Bottoms

With summer just around the corner I thought I’d highlight some of my favourite pieces for the season.

These are simple basics that I think every guy should consider including in his wardrobe.

Sunglasses

The right pair of sunglasses can make a huge difference in your look. My recommendation: go with something classic like a pair of aviators or wayfarers. I find these styles tend to flatter most men’s faces.

To add a splash of individuality, play around with different coloured frames and/or lenses.

For example, if you have a warm complexion like me (darker hair and skin) then gold coloured frames will look great against your skin:

Conversely, if you have a cool complexion (lighter hair and skin) then silver coloured frames will look better on you:

My favourite pair of shades right now are a basic pair of Ray Ban aviators like the two examples you see above. Simple and elegant these sunglasses will look good with anything from a suit and tie to a pair of jeans and a v-neck t-shirt.

Or a driver:What I like about drivers is that they are just as easy to wear as a pair of flip flops but they look a million times better. Drivers are also a good option if you want to dress up a pair of shorts.

You also don’t need to break the bank with these. My favourite pair of affordable drivers right now is the Parker Driving Loafer by Jack Erwin:Not too shabby for $115. Comes in a ton of different colours as well.

Chambray Trousers

I love wearing jeans year round but sometimes it’s just too stinkin’ hot to be wearing denim. A good alternative is chambray. It looks similar to denim but is much more lightweight and breathable.

Chambray is a great warm weather fabric and while chambray button up shirts are a dime a dozen during the summer season, what you see less often are chambray trousers.

Shorts

A quality pair of shorts is a must have for the summer season. Where most guys go wrong, unfortunately, is in the style. Anything that goes past your knees are a no go. And don’t even get me started on cargo shorts.

The bottom line is this: a good pair of shorts should hit you above the knee.

For most guys this length will be good. For taller guys (over 6’0″) you may need to switch the the 9″ inseam instead.

What I like about these shorts is the added spandex/elastane which makes them incredibly comfortable to wear. One of the issues I have with most shorts is that they have a tendency to feel a bit constrictive against my thighs. This is a common problem for guys who have muscular legs. With these shorts you will no longer have that problem.

Linen is a great fabric for the summer season. It’s incredibly lightweight and breatheable and almost has a “sheer” quality to it.

This is the perfect shirt for those really sticky hot days.

One thing to note about this shirt and linen in general is that it will have a “wrinkly” appearance to it. This is completely natural. This is why I recommend if you choose to wear linen to either go with a cotton/linen blend to reduce “wrinkliness” or stick with casual pieces like shirts and shorts.

Final Word

The summer season can often be a tricky time of year to dress well. Hopefully these 5 pieces will help make that task just a little bit easier.

As always,

Here’s to looking sharp!

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